ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Measures taken to reduce TB cases in India
Incidence of TB in India has reduced by 18% from 256/lakh population in 2015 to 210/lakh population in 2021
Estimates of Drug Resistant TB in India have reduced by 20% from 1.49 lakh in 2015 to 1.19 lakh in 2021
Ni-kshay 2.0 portal developed and made available in public domain for facilitating the community to register as Ni-kshay Mitra
The incidence of TB in India has reduced by 18% from 256/lakh population in 2015 to 210/lakh population in 2021. At the same time, the estimates of Drug Resistant TB in India have reduced by 20% from 1.49 lakh in 2015 to 1.19 lakh in 2021.
The following measures have been taken by the Government to reduce the number of TB and MDR-TB cases in the country:
- The Government of India has developed a National Strategic Plan  for Ending TB in the country by 2025.The key focus areas are:
- Early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens along with suitable patient support systems to promote adherence.
- Engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector.
- Prevention strategies including active case finding and contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population
- Airborne infection control.
- Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants.
- Availability of molecular diagnostics has been scaled up to 4761 machines covering all districts in the country. In addition, 79 Line Probe Assay labs and 96 liquid culture testing laboratories have been established in the country for diagnosis of MDR-TB and XDR-TB.
- Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing  is implemented under the NTEP to ensure every diagnosed TB patient is tested to rule out drug resistance before or at the time of treatment initiation itself.
- Newer drugs like Bedaquiline and Delamanid have also been made available for management of DRTB.
- Decentralized DR TB treatment services are offered through 162 Nodal DR-TB Centres and 614 District DR TB centres across the country.
- Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan :
- Launched by the Ministry on 9th September 2022 for community support to TB patients with the objective to provide people with TB with additional nutritional, diagnostic and vocational support.
- Ni-kshay 2.0 portal has been developed and made available in public domain for facilitating the community to register as Ni-kshay Mitra
- Guidance documents have been developed and shared with all State/UTs to implement the initiative.
- Periodic reviews are done to monitor the progress of the initiative at National and State/UT levels.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Bangladesh in the field of judicial sector cooperation
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Bangladesh in the field of judicial sector cooperation
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of MoU between India and Bangladesh in the field of judicial sector cooperation. It is aimed at developing, promoting and strengthening mutual cooperation between the judiciaries of the two countries.
The MoU provides for promoting mutual interaction among judges and officials at various levels of the judiciary through exchange visits, training and academic programmes. It will also encourage mutual exchange of information on latest developments in the field of law and justice. It will enable exchange of knowledge in infrastructure and information technology in this field.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Strengthening of Panchayati Raj System
To strengthen Panchayati Raj System and thereby improve the rural areas of the country, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj  is implementing the  Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan  with the primary objective of strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions  by way of capacity building and training of the elected representatives and the functionaries of the PRIs, providing infrastructural support like Gram Panchayat Bhawan and Computerisation,  Incentivization of Panchayats , a Central Components of RGSA scheme to encourage competitive spirit among PRIs under which, Awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good,  Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats, a Central component of RGSA scheme under which various e-governance projects are funded towards digitalization of Panchayats to bring in efficiency, accountability and transparency in the functioning of the PRIs for overall transformation of PRIs .
Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides for not less than one-third reservation for women in PRIs out of total number of seats to be filled by direct election and number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats. As per the information available with the Ministry, 21 States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, and 2 UTs namely 'UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu' and 'UT of Lakshadweep' have made provision for 50% reservation for women in PRIs in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. In respect of remaining Part-IX States/UTs, Constitutional provision, as prescribed in Article 243D, applies.
Further, Government has been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning of Panchayats through active participation in the Gram Sabha meetings for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and various schemes being implemented by the Panchayats. This Ministry has also issued advisories to the States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings, enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, allocation of Panchayat funds for women centric activities, combating the evil of women trafficking, female foeticide, child marriage etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil
Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality education for vulnerable groups
Government is committed to ensure equal access to online/digital education, even when done remotely. Quality Online courses are provided through SWAYAM which is an indigenously developed MOOCs  platform. Since everyone does not have access to internet, under one of the flagship Initiatives,SWAYAM-Prabha, Ministry of Education is providing 34 educational TV channels covering educational contents for Schools and Higher Educational Institutions. Curriculum-based contents are telecast every day as per pre-defined schedule which can be accessed by students as per their convenience. There is a provision of one class, one channel for school education. In addition to this,a comprehensive initiative called PM eVIDYA has been initiated which unifies all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode access to education. The initiative includes: -
- Higher Educational Institutions  ranked in top 100 NIRF or NAAC score of 3.26 can offer online programme without prior approval of UGC. Institutions with NAAC score of 3.01 to 3.25 can offer online programme with prior approval of UGC.
- For conventional courses, the online content has been increased from up to 20% to 40% in regular degree programmes.
- DIKSHA the nation’s digital infrastructure for providing quality e-content for school education in states/UTs: and QR coded Energized Textbooks for all grades 
- Study materials have been provided on an experimental basis for 12 channels for classes 1 to 12 and actions are expedited to run these channels in a full-fledged manner.
- Extensive use of Radio, Community radio and CBSE Podcast- ShikshaVani
- Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired developed on Digitally Accessible Information System  and in sign language on NIOS website/ YouTube.
The above measures taken by the Government prevent the exclusion of vulnerable groups from remote learning.
The information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the LokSabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Naval commanders’ conference concludes
Expand Navy’s operational footprint and be a stabilising
Force in IOR – Admiral Sunil Lanba, CNS
The four-day long Naval Commanders’ Conference concluded on 05 May 17 wherein the top-level leadership of Navy reviewed major operational, training and administrative activities undertaken in the last six months. The conference reviewed IN’s readiness to deploy over the entire range of missions in the maritime domain.
The Hon’ble Defence Minister addressed and interacted with the Naval Commanders on the opening day of the Conference. The Defence Minister complimented the IN for its professionalism and commitment towards protecting the maritime interests of the country, including its immense maritime boundary and furthering the country’s defence diplomacy requirements. He urged the Commanders to be prepared at all times emphasising that preparedness would be the best deterrent. Lauding the IN’s efforts in indigenisation, he urged the Commanders to continue furthering the build up of domestic expertise.
Chairing the conference, the CNS addressed the Naval Commanders on issues pertaining to operational readiness, capability enhancement, maintenance, op logistics, infrastructure development and human resource management. He emphasised the need for continued efforts towards modernisation, indigenisation and expanding the Navy’s operational footprint so as to be a stabilising force in IOR.
The Commanders also had an opportunity to interact with senior government officials, as also with the Chiefs of Indian Army and IAF, who shared their views on the current security situation and the way ahead to enhance Tri-Service synergy and jointmanship. The Foreign secretary also interacted with the Commanders on the geo-political developments with key focus on the Indian Ocean Region and outlined key imperatives pertaining to our foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives.
Focussed attention was also accorded to associated aspects that included a review of the security measures and mechanisms for Coastal Defence, infrastructure/ force development and logistics support management.
In his closing address, the CNS while complimenting the officers for their commitment and professionalism exhorted the Commanders to give focussed attention to address all challenges with the singular aim to be combat ready at all times. He emphasised the importance of quality maintenance and efficient Operational Logistics towards ensuring combat effectiveness.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Winter Session of Parliament to be from December 15, 2017 to January 5, 2018
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs  today recommended convening of Winter Session of Parliament this year from December 15, 2017 to January 5, 2018, subject to exigencies of government business. This was informed by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Ananthkumar to media persons after the meeting of CCPA.
Shri Ananthkumar further stated that the ensuing Winter Session will have a total of 14 sittings over a duration of 22 days.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh to discuss legislative agenda for the coming session of Parliament.
Talking to media persons, Shri Ananthkumar noted that it is not unprecedented that the schedule of the Parliament Session has been decided so as to avoid any overlap with the Assembly Elections in the States. This practice has been followed on many occasions by different Governments in the past. Shri Ananthkumar appealed to all Political Parties for fruitful and constructive discussions on important Bills and ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses of the Parliament.
Answering a question on Triple Talaq & the National Commission for Backward Classes, Shri Ananthkumar stated that it is a strong desire of the people of India that Parliament should legislate on these two important issues and the Government is committed to respond to this desire.
Three Bills are to be taken up in the coming Winter session to replace three Ordinances viz.,
1. The Goods & Services Tax  Ordinance, 2017 
2. Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code  Ordinance, 2017
3. Indian Forest  Ordinance, 2017
Parliament will also discuss the Supplementary Demands for Grants in this Winter Session.
Election Commission
The Jadavpur Parliamentary Constituency in West Bengal Comprises Maximum Number of Third Gender Electors for 2019 Lok Sabha Poll
Kolkata, March 19, 2019
Out of total number of 6,97,60,868 electors in West Bengal for 2019 Lok Sabha poll, the total number of third gender electors is 1426. In the last Lok Sabha election, i.e., in 2014, there was no clear mention of third gender in the phase-wise elector and polling station’s list. They were mentioned as ‘Others’ in that list.
It is to be mentioned that Supreme Court in a landmark judgement, declared transgender people as ‘third gender’ and affirmed that the fundamental rights granted under the Constitution of India will be equally applicable to transgender people in 2014 and on December 17, 2018, the Lok Sabha passed the Union Government’s Transgender Persons  Bill, 2018. On September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality by declaring Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code  unconstitutional.
According to the information of the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, in the city, the number of third gender electors in the State in 2019, is maximum in Jadavpur Parliamentary Constituency. The number is 74. Raigunj is next in position so far third gender electors are considered. The number in this Parliamentary constituency is 73. Diamond Harbour Parliamentary constituency is third in position so far as the number of third gender electors are concerned. Here, the number is 61.
Bishnupur  Parliamentary constituency has the lowest number of third gender electors. Here, the number of such electors is 8.
It is to be mentioned that this year the total number of male & female electors is 3,57,83,463 and 3,39,75,979 respectively.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Gadkari to Lay the Foundation Stone of four National Highway Projects in Telangana Tomorrow
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone of four National Highway projects in the state of Telangana tomorrow. The ceremony to be held in Hyderabad Public School grounds, Ramnathapur, Hyderabad will be attended by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.
Costing Rs 1523 crore, these projects include six laning of Aramgarh-Shamsabad section of NH 44 between Hyderabad and Bangalore, rehabilitation and upgradation of NH 765D from Hyderabad outer ring road to Medak, construction of 4-lane flyover at Amberpet-X Roads, and construction of 6-lane elevated corridor from Uppal to Narapally on the Hyderabad-Bhopalpatnam section of NH 163.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Successful Culmination of Swachhata Hi Sewa Pakhwada by CPWD
During Swachhata Hi Sewa Pakhwada, CPWD has undertaken massive cleanliness drive of all assets and parks maintained by it across the country. CPWD officers and staff actively participated in the shramdans during the fortnight. Entire Drive was undertaken with close coordination, cooperation and support of all RWAs / Residents / Coordination Committees.
“Swachh Office” competition was held among all Government buildings across the country maintained by CPWD. Painting competition amongst the children was held on the theme ‘Swachhata hi Sewa’ at Sunder Nursery in the presence of the Minister and Secretary, MoHUA. Plogging in Drive was undertaken at Sunder Nursery and Nirman Bhawan. Solid waste convertor Machine was inaugurated by the Secretary, MoHUA at Nirman Bhawan here today.
A skit on Swachhata was also held at Nirman Bhawan today. CPWD has prepared a film on above activities carried out during Swachhata Hi Sewa Pakhwada across the country, which will be released by Director General, CPWD, Shri Prabhakar Singh, and screened during a function to be held at Nirman Bhawan on Wednesday.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Cabinet approves creation of one post each of Vice-Chairperson and Member in the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approvedthe creation of one post each of Vice-Chairperson and Member in the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis.
The decision is intended to optimize functioning of the Commission and for fulfilling desired objectives of welfare and development of the target group.
Background:
The National Commission for SafaiKarmacharis is working for the welfare of both SafaiKaramcharis and Manual Sacavengers. It is mandated to work towards elimination of inequalities in status facilities and opportunities for SafaiKaramcharis and has an important role to ensure rehabilitation of all the identified manual scavengers on a time-bound basis. Under Section 31 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, the Commission is to perform functions namely:
- To monitor the implementation of the Act;
- To enquire into complaints regarding contravention of provisions of the Act; and
- To advice Central and State Governments for effective implementation of the Act.
Ministry of Power
Power Minister chairs meeting on action plan for enhancing the investment by power sector CPSEs in renewable Energy Projects
A meeting to discuss the Action Plan for enhancing the investment by power sector CPSEs in renewable Energy Projects, was held under the Chairmanship of Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister of Power & NRE yesterday. Representative of all Hydro CPSEs, NTPC Ltd., MNRE and SECI were present in the meeting.Following decisions were arrived during the meeting:
- Investment approval & Competitiveness:
-
- In-principle approval to be accorded to CPSUs of MoP for bidding of RE power projects at the beginning of year for a pre-determined capacity based on strength of their balance sheet.
- The matter of enhancement of power of investment approval of Board of mini Ratna CPSUs for upward revision to be taken up with Department of Public Enterprises.
- Proposal for reducing hurdle rate IRR for RE Sector from 10% to 8%, to be taken up with Ministry of Finance.
- Policy and Regulatory issues:
-
- Bundling of RE projects with New or untied/high tariff hydro projects to be allowed so as to bring down the tariff of hydro power to consumers.
- Proposal for waiver of Transmission charges for RE capacity under Flexibility Scheme to be considered.
- No requirement for separate PPAs for RE Power developed under Flexibility Scheme
- Separate guidelines to be formulated under Section 63 of The Electricity Act, 2003, for bundling scheme, for setting up RE plant on their own land or a new location.
- Interventions – MNRE related issues
-
- MNRE to examine allowing Solar Power Park Developer/Individual Promoters to participate in TBCB process
- Separate policy to be formulated for Floating Solar by MNRE
-
- MNRE to evolve mechanism to ensure sanctity of bidding process and PPA by the State Government and for rationalizing high Solar Park charges.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ganga Vilas reaches Guwahati
Tourists visit Sualkuchi to witness the world famous Muga & Pat handloom industry at work
Tourists to visit Kamakhya Temple & State Museum during their visit to the city
World’s longest river cruise ‘Ganga Vilas’ ship reached Guwahati at 03:30 PM today, on 42nd day of the voyage. All the 28 tourists travelling on board were given a rousing reception at the IWAI Pandu port after it anchored with Saraighat bridge on the backdrop.
After disembarking, the tourists were offered tea while they relished the colourful folk dance performance by troupes of Karbi and Tiwa communities by the bank of the Brahmaputra in the milieu of a sublime evening Sun against the mystical Saraighat bridge here today. The tourists were received by Additional Chief Secretary, Maninder Singh; Deputy Commissioner , Pallav Gopal Jha; Regional Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India , A Selvakumar among others. The visiting tourists will be visiting the Kamakhya Temple along with the Assam State Museum tomorrow morning before they leave for their onward journey to Mayong & further.
Earlier during the day, the tourists visited Sualkuchi to witness the rich and vibrant textile & handloom industry of Assam. Mesmerised by the craft, the tourists exalted at the sight of magical motifs weaved onto the Muga and Pat Silk. The weavers showcased the brilliance of Assam’s handloom industry to the visiting tourists who enjoyed the sheer genius of the artisans.
Flagged off by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the historic cruise set sail from Varanasi on January 13, 2023, and, after traversing through Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal as well as Bangladesh, arriving at Dhubri in Assam on its 39 day of the voyage. Dubbed as the longest river cruise in the world, the Varanasi to Bogibeel voyage by the Ganga Vilas is scheduled to complete the journey when it anchors at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh drawing a close to this exotic experience of river cruise.
Ministry of Finance
SWAMIH Fund completes 20,557 homes since inception in 2019
Fund targets to complete over 81,000 homes in next 3 years across 30 Tier 1 and 2 cities
Fund completes construction in 26 projects while unlocking liquidity of more than Rs. 35,000 crore
The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing  Investment Fund I is India’s largest social impact fund specifically formed for completing stressed and stalled residential projects.
The Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., a State Bank Group company. The Fund has no precedent or comparable peer fund in India or in the global markets.
It has raised Rs. 15,530 crore so far with an aim to provide priority debt financing for the completion of stressed, brownfield and Real Estate Regulatory Authority  registered residential projects that fall in the affordable, mid-income housing category.
SWAMIH has so far provided final approval to about 130 projects with sanctions worth over Rs 12,000 crore. In three years since inception in 2019, the Fund has already completed 20,557 homes and aims to complete over 81,000 homes in the next three years across 30 tier 1 and 2 cities.
Since the Fund considers first time developers, established developers with troubled projects, developers with a poor track record of stalled projects, customer complaints and NPA accounts, even projects where there are litigation issues, it is considered as the lender of last resort for distressed projects.
Robust supervision and control over project expenditures are the mainstay of SWAMIH’s investment process, enabling faster project completions. The Fund’s presence in a project often acts as a catalyst for better collections and sales even in projects that were delayed for years.
Given the robust controls and despite the track record of the projects and promoters, the Fund has been able to complete construction in 26 projects and generate returns for its investors.
The Fund has also played a critical role in the growth of many ancillary industries in real estate and infrastructure sector having successfully unlocked liquidity of more than Rs. 35,000 crore.